Asahi to reform its news gathering in response to examination of past 'comfort women' coverage

The Asahi Shimbun on Dec. 26 released a statement by President Masataka Watanabe containing his views regarding the recent report released by a third-party committee that examined past Asahi coverage of "comfort women."

The Asahi also announced a reform policy that had three main facets—"the relationship between management and the news department," "the nature of news coverage" and "reporting on comfort women."

In his statement, Watanabe said, "In order to prevent a recurrence of errors, we will unfalteringly reform what must be reformed and sincerely implement the wide-ranging recommendations regarding the nature of company management and news reporting."

The statement was in response to the view of the third-party committee that not only former President Tadakazu Kimura, but all the members of the board, "should be deeply aware of their responsibility."

Regarding the special reporting done in 1997 and August 2014 by the Asahi about its past coverage of comfort women, the president's statement said, "the special coverage lacked an apology that frankly admitted to past errors as well as a posture of explaining the matter in an understandable way."

The statement also displayed Watanabe's resolve by saying, "We will engage in reform in order to once again obtain the trust of readers as a media organization that is beneficial to society."

The statement explained the Asahi's fundamental stance regarding news coverage by saying, "We will eliminate assumptions and preconceived notions in consistently gathering information in a fair and accurate manner to close in on facts."

On the relationship between management and the news department contained within the Asahi's reform policy, the company revealed that, in order to respect the independence of the news department, discussions would be made more transparent and rules would be established for those situations when company management becomes involved in the news-gathering process with the judgment that a situation has arisen that would have a major impact on company management.

For that purpose, a permanent body will be established that includes several experts from outside the Asahi, and it will be asked for its views.

As part of measures to review its news reporting, the Asahi will undertake a comprehensive reform of how corrections of articles are handled. In addition, efforts will be made to enrich a dialogue function, for example, through a forum section where various perspectives and opinions can be presented as an "arena for open speech."

The Asahi humbly accepts the various criticisms and discussions about news coverage that arose as a result of its past reporting on comfort women. Using that as a lesson, the Asahi will face the actual state of affairs on the comfort women issue and provide multifaceted reporting that will be easily understandable to readers. A news-gathering group will be set up to cover the issue in a continuous manner.

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The statement by Asahi Shimbun President Masataka Watanabe follows:

Taking seriously the report submitted by the third-party committee that examined The Asahi Shimbun's past coverage of comfort women, I have compiled my views on the matter as well as how we intend to implement reform.

The report pointed out, "While the company president must bear a heavy responsibility for making the final decision that led to the latest situation, there is also a need for all members of the board to be deeply aware of their own responsibility."

I take that view to heart.

In order to prevent a recurrence of errors, we will unfalteringly reform what must be reformed and sincerely implement the wide-ranging recommendations regarding the nature of company management and news reporting.

As a media organization that plays a role in recording history, we will eliminate assumptions and preconceived notions in consistently gathering information in a fair and accurate manner to close in on facts. We will also enrich the function of an "arena for open speech" by presenting various perspectives and opinions, including views that are at odds with or opposed to those held by The Asahi Shimbun.

I will personally respect in every way possible the principle of separating company management from the news department, and I will make every effort to ensure that company management, in principle, does not interfere with the contents of articles or commentary.

We will create a structure that will enable company management and the news department to continue to take into consideration the views held by those outside of The Asahi Shimbun.

The Asahi Shimbun on two occasions, in 1997 and again this year, published articles that examined its past coverage of comfort women. However, on both occasions, there was a lack of an apology that frankly admitted to past errors as well as a posture of explaining the matter in an understandable way.

I deeply reflect on the fact we did not take seriously a perspective of facing our readers and reverted to an introspective way of thinking that defended the position of The Asahi Shimbun against criticism.

We will engage in reform in order to once again obtain the trust of readers as a media organization that is beneficial to society.

The report by the third-party committee also contained encouragement from committee members that said, "Asahi reporters should not shrink back from the exercise of a free press, but hold sufficient self-awareness about their social responsibility in order to become the driving force for promoting sound journalistic activities in Japan."

By taking those words to heart, we will decide as quickly as possible on an action plan that is now being put together, mainly by an in-house committee to restore trust and resuscitate the company, which has conducted a series of discussions. Once that plan is compiled, we will immediately begin implementing specific reform measures.

Next year will mark an important milestone as it will be the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II. We are now facing the serious challenges that involve self-questioning.

While once again extending my heartfelt apology for damaging the trust of all of you in The Asahi Shimbun, I also pledge that everyone at the company will work together on reform to reconstruct The Asahi Shimbun from its foundations.